i was talking to a mech. and he told that because my xterra has hit 90xxx miles that i need to change the timing belt or it will break and destory the motor is he right or wrong or both?

He's right. Nissan recommends changing at 105,000.

I'd say better sooner than later... at that mileages its a ticking time bomb. It could last a day or a year, you just don't know

how hard is it to change?

yeah how hard is it to change, mine is at 120k so i guess i need to figure on changing it......

I have a pathfinder at the shop now that broke the timing belt at 148k.
We are going to put a belt on and then check compression to see if the valves are bent. Does't look good though and the estimate was $4,000 to rebuild the engine or $3,200 for a used engine.

So....yes timing belts can and do break and it costs less to change the belt than fixing an engine that has broken one.

i'm pretty sure that the timing belt is somewhat labor intensive. rusty... any comments on that??

Yes..... it's very time consuming the first time you do one. I would suggest doing the tensioner, water pump, cam seals and thermostat while the front cover is off. Watch that the shop doesn't double charge for labor here since the cover is already off.

Anyone wants to make a trip to St Louis.....you buy the parts and $200 in my driveway.

:cool-big:

I've got over 50 thousand on my 06 now, does it use a chain or belt?

The 06 has a timing chain. :)

thanks rusty_nuts for all the info i found a shop to do it all for $150 cause i work at oreilly's and i'm going to supply the parts.

does the 04 have a belt or chain? can you convert to a chain cause to me that seems more reliable.